Small Space Style: Clever Ideas for Compact Interiors E-Book

Sara Emslie

• Herausgeber: Ryland Peters & Small
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Seitenzahl: 142

Beschreibung

These days, space is a precious commodity. Small Space Style is an inspiring guide to making the most of even the tiniest home.

Das E-Book Small Space Style: Clever Ideas for Compact Interiors wird angeboten von Ryland Peters & Small und wurde mit folgenden Begriffen kategorisiert:
interior design for small homes, small interiors, how to make the most of space, tiny house, tiny interiors, ideas for small interiors, living in a small space, how to mx, small interiors design ideas, small interiors book, small interior design, studio apartment deisgn, small house design

Leseprobe

SMALL SPACE STYLE

SMALL SPACE STYLE

CLEVER IDEAS FOR COMPACT INTERIORS

Sara Emslie

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Rachel Whiting

First published in 2014 as

Beautifully Small.

This revised edition published 2019

by Ryland Peters & Small

20–21 Jockey’s Fields,

London WC1R 4BW

and

341 E 116th Street

New York, NY 10029

www.rylandpeters.com

Text copyright © Sara Emslie 2014, 2019

Design and photographs copyright © Ryland Peters & Small 2014, 2019

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN 978-1-78879-090-1

E-ISBN 978-1-78879-328-5

SENIOR DESIGNER Toni Kay

COMMISSIONING EDITOR Annabel Morgan

LOCATION RESEARCH Jess Walton

PRODUCTION MANAGER Gordana Simakovic

ART DIRECTOR Leslie Harrington

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Julia Charles

STYLING Sara Emslie

ILLUSTRATIONS Selina Snow

The author’s moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library.

Library of Congress CIP data has been applied for.

Printed and bound in China

CONTENTS

Introduction

Elements of Design

Elements of Style

Small Spaces

Beautifully Simple

Colourfully Compact

Neat and Nautical

Shades of Grey

A Traveller’s Tale

Little Boxes

Light and Bright

Lofty Aspirations

Wonderwall

Colourful and Creative

Chic Petite

Flotsam and Jetsam

A Clever Cube

Sources

Business Credits

Picture Credits

Index

Acknowledgments

Less is so often more – little corners of small spaces that are dedicated to nicely curated displays add charm and personality. A selection of decorative objects on this mantelpiece makes for a stunning vignette in a tiny living room.

INTRODUCTION

Small, compact, cosy or cute – no matter how you label them, homes of limited proportions can be stylish little spaces. They can be practical and purposeful too, and are firmly back on the agenda due to a number of different factors.

Social demographics have changed dramatically over the last decade or two, with more of us choosing to live individually, or as couples, and without requiring lots of surplus rooms. Property prices, particularly in the world’s major cities, continue to escalate and the demand for space in large social and economic urban centres is only increasing. For students, first-time property buyers, key workers and those wanting to downsize on reaching retirement, living in a town or city with universities, multiple job opportunities, theatres, restaurants, bars and other leisure activities all close by is a hugely attractive option. Our lifestyle habits are also changing, and homes that are smaller in size can provide the perfect balance between sufficient living space and a desirable location, as well as offering more manageable household bills. Others will be drawn to the idea of a base in both town and country, with a tiny city crash-pad and a weekend country cottage, perhaps. Small spaces offer possibilities for a range of different lifestyles.

Small is beautiful – a collection of tiny photographs stuck to the wall with decorative tape is a great way of adding visual interest to a tiny space and can be regularly changed for an instant refresh.

Of course, for many of us the idea of tiny interiors conjures up a romantic notion of cute cottages, caravans, sailing boats, beach huts and the like. While these interiors, with their minuscule Alice-in-Wonderland-like-proportions, are not intended to be the backdrop for everyday life, they often contain ingenious designs that make the most of every bit of their limited space and which can act as valuable inspiration for more permanent small interiors. Think of caravans, for example, where the dining table folds down to became a double bed. Or of boats and their tiny galley kitchens, using curtains as cupboard doors and slimline space-saving plate racks to hold the tableware, plus shoebox-sized cabins with bunks custom built to slot in neatly where space is at a premium and accessed via a ladder.

Creative thinking is key in a small space. In this seaside cottage, a pair of reclaimed shutters mounted on the wall makes an intriguing alternative to an artwork. They also double up as a surface on which to clip a spotlight, thus eliminating the need for a lamp table.

To create a successful small space requires hard-working design and styling ideas, not to mention strict spatial discipline. As you will see in this book, architects and designers are well versed at squeezing space out of even the most compact interior, and a combination of creative problem solving, clever remodelling and design interventions will go a long way towards transforming tiny spaces into fully functional (and beautiful) homes. During the process of renovating my own diminutive house, the wealth of interior design ideas that I have come across over the years (both through my work as an interiors stylist and from staying in tiny holiday havens) came in particularly useful. I was aware of the spatial restrictions of compact rooms, the need for versatile, multi-functional spaces and the importance of well-thought-out storage, not to mention my desire to fully embrace my somewhat minimalist tendencies! My home became a testing ground for many of my favourite design and styling ideas, which made the most of its limited proportions, and the experience of decorating and living in my own beautifully small interior is the inspiration behind this book.

Nautical touches work well in compact interiors, as they echo the space-saving ideas often found in ships’ cabins. The combined aesthetics of a simple white wooden ladder and a rope banister that lead up to a converted attic space add bags of charm and are practical too.

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

UNDERSTANDING YOUR SMALL SPACE

OUR LIVING SPACES SHOULD BE INVITING, COMFORTABLE AND A JOY TO SPEND TIME IN, REGARDLESS OF THEIR SIZE. ALTHOUGH OFTEN DEEMED CRAMPED AND CONFINED, WITH SOME CLEVER PLANNING AND CONSIDERED DESIGN DETAIL, TINY INTERIORS CAN DELIVER IN TERMS OF PRACTICALITY AND STYLE. THE KEY TO CREATING A BEAUTIFULLY SMALL HOME THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS IS TO UNDERSTAND FROM THE OUTSET HOW YOUR SPACE WORKS AS A WHOLE AND TO IDENTIFY AND CAPITALIZE ON ITS UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES.

A SENSE OF SPACE

Before embarking on a redesign, it is worth taking a step back and looking at your space as a single architectural unit. Whatever and wherever your home, the internal space will be impacted upon by building and location factors, some of which can be modified and others that, while unchangeable, can be used in a positive way to enhance the overall sense of space.

Exposed roof structures are an excellent way of adding a sense of space to a tiny interior. The owners of this Danish summerhouse have used tongue-and-groove panelling and a skylight to fully maximize the design potential.

Attention to detail is key in the design of small spaces. Here, a tiny earthenware jug containing a single sprig of foliage beautifully emphasizes the intimate proportions of the interior.

Walk around and take note of the architectural features – the height of the ceilings in relation to the floor space and the size of the windows and door openings, and the relationship they all have with each other. Don’t worry if the space is not uniform – old buildings in particular can have all sorts of quirks that only enhance the charm of an interior. Instead, assess the positives and negatives of the space. Does the interior have a sense of compact grandeur, or is it portioned up and poky?

Take some time to stand back and assess the structural and architectural merits of your space. Situated in the eaves of the building, this studio apartment fully utilizes the natural framework created by the roof beams to create a cosy sleeping nook.

Emphasizing the natural elements of a small space can add charm and character, and offer a sense of scale. In a diminutive loft, exposed rafters and rugged brick walls have been utilized to great effect to create a bold backdrop for the industrial-style kitchen.

Bear in mind too the interconnectivity of the individual rooms – is there a natural sense of flow or does it feel disjointed and awkward? Note also how the natural light works within the space. This is something that can’t be altered, but identifying whether your space enjoys cool northern light or is flooded with sunlight in the morning but not later in the day will help with layout decisions and decorating choices further down the line. A thorough overview of your space will help you make the most of any design ideas you have for your tiny home.

French doors in this summerhouse make full use of the abundant natural light and the stunning sea views too.

POSITIVE ASSETS

To identify what your small space delivers best and where its weakest points are, plot it out on a piece of paper. A sketched floor plan showing accurate measurements and indicating the positioning of doors and any restrictive structural elements such as chimney breasts or load-bearing walls is an invaluable tool that will help you get to grips with the basic layout and the natural flow between the spaces. It will enable you to determine positive features and see how you can make the most of these. It will also come in very handy later on when sourcing suitably sized furniture.

Of course, there are many ways to alter a small space, from knocking down internal walls and exposing unused loft and roof space to extending up or out in all sorts of directions. What you can do with your space depends to a large extent on what its most defining features are, so it’s worth jotting these down as well, and highlighting the ones that have the most potential. Bear in mind that this will depend to a certain extent on whether the property is a house or cottage on one or several floors, or a laterally configured studio or apartment. If you have a top-floor apartment, for example, any unused attic space could be added to the existing living space, and while some would consider this area ripe for renovation, others might decide that enclosed storage space is preferable instead. Try not to write off awkward structural or architectural features as obvious no-nos, since it’s unlikely that you will be able to get rid of them anyway. Instead, think positively. In a small cottage, for example, perhaps low ceilings could be removed to expose rafters or beams, which can be stripped back and made into a design feature. Beams can also work as natural space dividers, removing the need for too many partition walls, and provide a tiny home with personality and character.

A tiny studio apartment in Stockholm has been afforded the luxury of a simple partition wall between the hallway and kitchen, cleverly designed so that it creates a sense of separation and yet not segregation.

A sliding door is the perfect way of providing a tiny bedroom with the necessary intimacy and sense of seclusion but without the door taking up valuable floor space on opening.

VERTICAL LIVING VS LATERAL LIVING

Diminutive houses and cottages tend to be small due to the social and economic constraints of earlier times, and while many modern new-builds echo their layout and scale to some extent, architecturally they are worlds apart. It is the aged charm of these period houses, with their tiny rooms, low ceilings and narrow staircases, that makes them such appealing small spaces. Often possessing minuscule proportions yet packed with character, they can make pretty little homes, sometimes with the potential for further spatial modification.

For example, moving an inconveniently positioned downstairs bathroom to an upper floor is likely to be more conducive to harmonious modern living (if the number or size of bedrooms allows it), while providing good access to any outside space that can be enjoyed will make a tiny home feel much more spacious. However, some design interventions might prove detrimental to the overall atmosphere of a small house or cottage. Central staircases and chimney breasts can sometimes be removed to create a small amount of additional space, but major structural changes such as these can completely alter the feel of an older property, so give them serious consideration before embarking on any radical alterations.

What vertical dwellings such as houses do have is the potential to extend upwards, downwards or both. Loft spaces can be converted into intimate little attic bedrooms, provided there is sufficient space for a connecting staircase, while a cellar or basement level can be damp-proofed and transformed into a cosy kitchen, indulgent bathroom or practical playroom, perhaps.

Apartments, however small and whether a modern build or a section of a period property, make great compact living spaces, as their lateral layout naturally creates a more expansive feeling of space than there actually is. They can also benefit more from a total remodelling of the interior, particularly if there is design input and expertise from an experienced architect where the greater spatial challenge may lead to more creative and workable ideas.

Lateral living has the freedom to break the mould of conventional thinking in terms of utilizing space for different functions, so ‘zoning’ can be factored into any redesign plans to differentiate areas for sleeping, relaxing and cooking. All sorts of mechanisms such as dividing screens, pocket sliding doors and semi-partition walls can work wonders in breaking up a space into private areas within an otherwise open-plan interior. Clever internal cubes or pods with lower ceilings are also very successful in dividing up space without the restrictive barriers of floor-to-ceiling walls.

If an apartment is blessed with particularly high ceilings or unused roof space, then creating a mezzanine level for use as a raised sleeping or work area is a particularly effective way of creating additional room, and one that is seen in several of the case studies in this book. A mezzanine frees up valuable floor space that can be allocated to a larger living space, and creates a stunning architectural and design statement too.

Despite taking up a portion of floor space, the chimney breast in this house provides architectural definition and visual interest to what would otherwise be a very simple, almost boxy rectangular room. It also furnishes the room with an open fireplace, and a neat alcove ideal for a vintage shelving unit.

PLANNING YOUR SMALL SPACE

WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT DEMANDS FROM OUR INTERIORS, SO IT IS WORTH GIVING SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO THE WAY YOU CHOOSE TO INHABIT YOUR SPACE. HOW SMALL A SPACE IS CONSIDERED TO BE IS RELATIVE TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING THERE. SPEND TIME MAKING A DETAILED PRECIS OF YOUR REQUIREMENTS AND LIFESTYLE, AND CONSIDER WHICH AREAS ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SPACE AND USE IT EFFECTIVELY.

Asuccessful home is one that meets the needs of those who live in it, so think about your requirements carefully. If you work from home, then a work space that is large enough to accommodate office equipment and papers will be key. If you don’t entertain or cook a great deal, then it would seem sensible to designate less space for cooking and dining and more to relaxing and lounging. A sociable couple might consider reconfiguring the layout to provide a smaller bedroom and a larger, more versatile, living, cooking and dining area. In a small cottage with two upstairs bedrooms, one could be converted into a luxurious bathroom and the room downstairs could be used for something else, such as a garden room-cum-guest bedroom. Putting some considered thought into how you want to live within your space is crucial to maximizing the potential of your home and will help you come up with clever solutions.

The owner of this compact Parisian studio finds that a small table and a pair of stools are sufficient for everyday meals in the open-plan kitchen space. For entertaining, he has a foldable table and chairs that are stored out of sight when not in use.

WORKING TO YOUR BUDGET

Be realistic when it comes to finances and set out a budget for both the long and the short term. Major restructuring can be costly, and if that is the route you are taking, it is essential to get the planning right before embarking on decoration. You can always factor in funds for extravagant wallpapers and tiles further along, if the budget allows. Don’t overlook any details at this stage. Home technology and TV and audio cabling, for example, as well as under-floor heating and lighting, can all be hidden out of sight and will benefit the aesthetic of your compact interior, thus justifying the cost.

A roomy office space can be a defining feature of an interior and is essential if you work from home. There is plenty of scope for creating one that’s both practical and stylish – choose boxes and storage that are neat and tidy but attractive too, and accessorize with personal mementos and a few flowers.

Contrary to popular belief, cast-iron radiators are not only stylish but also practical for small interiors. Made up of connecting sections and with a range of different column widths, you can custom-make them to fit even the most awkward of spaces, such as this tiny alcove.